A LONG-ESTABLISHED swimming and water polo club has re-appealed for information about its members who lost their lives during the First World War.

Mark Evans, vice-chairman of Radcliffe Swimming and Water Polo Club, has been collating memorabilia and historical information to build up a picture of the group's history.

Founded in 1899, the club has produced Olympic swimmers, International Water Polo players, record breaking Channel Swims and more.

Two months ago, the organisation issued an appeal asking for information about its rich history, particularly in relation to its members who served in the First World War.

Mr Evans said: "Unfortunately we have not had any responses so we are reissuing our appeal.

"We are trying to find out as much as we can."

Through his own independent research, Mr Evans has established that about 20 of the club's members died during the conflict between 1914 and 1918.

He began compiling information in November last year when a number of commemorative events were taking place to mark the centenary since the end of the First World War.

The name of former club secretary George Arthur Terrell is the only known name of former members who fought in the war.

George Terrell had been the water polo club secretary since 1913 when he was killed in action on July 1, 1916.

"We know that our club secretary was killed in battle", Mr Evans said. "He was shot in the head and killed in action.

"We believe he was the son of the Radcliffe swimming baths superintendent, John Terrell."

At wartime, the club held whist drives — a social event at which the card game was played — and other non-swimming events in an attempt to boost morale and to raise money to keep the club going during war periods.

Post-war, the club installed a roll of honour inside its former building, the Whittaker Street baths, dedicated to those men and women who fell fighting for their country.

The teams now train at Radcliffe Leisure Centre in Spring Lane.

Mr Evans said: "At an annual general meeting (AGM) in 1919, the then club president George Mills said that 20 members of the club had fallen during the war.

"At the AGM in 1915, a total of 14 members of the club were listed as having joined the forces", Mr Evans said.

"We know of a private, Fred Stringfellow, a club swimmer who was promoted to lieutenant, who was wounded a number of times during the war."

Much of this information has been found in The History of Radcliffe Swimming Club from 1899-1999, a book that was compiled and published by former club members Barry Carr, William H Pearce Jr, Eric Simister and Alan Pearce.

Mr Evans said: "We would really appreciate anyone with information coming forward.

"At the moment there is no record of who our club war heroes were. We are trying to make an effort to change this. It is part of our history. It is important to honour them and to recognise their sacrifices."

To contact the club, visit radcliffesc.co.uk and send a message via the ‘interested in joining’ section on their contact page.

Alternatively, email Mr Evans directly at mevans873@aol.com.